ha ha ha ha----

last pic as a family of four!

I really did do a load of laundry.

sweet baby about 2 months old!

New family picture!

My side of the family on Christmas

oh.my.goodness!!

Has it REALLY been 5 months since I last posted?!?  I guess that tells you where blogging has been on my priority list!

Soooo....we had a baby....Molly Claire Darby was born Saturday night, October 15, 2011 (can't remember the exact time--- know I have it written down, but that would require me to get up and I know I would be distracted by something and wouldn't come back...so we'll just say it was right before 11:00 that night)  after a long day of just being a family of four about to bring the fifth into the world!

I had my regular weekly checkup the day before and ole Dr. Tinker said probably no baby- so we set an induction date for later in the month.  I left so disappointed!  So ready to have this sweet little pumpkin in my arms (and, truth be told, out of my belly!!)  I had been having irregular contractions the same way I did with Owen, but had not progressed any.  I woke up Saturday morning with a full day ahead!  Miles had a soccer game, we had a trip to Cedar Hill Farms planned, then Jared had to go back down there for a club-wide soccer family night--- so no time for a baby that day--- at least not until Jared got finished with his party!  We had a fun day- I just knew all day that we were going to have this baby before the weekend was over!  In fact, while we were on the hayride (yes, I went on a hayride...and pushed Owen in the stroller all over that farm), I had someone take a picture of us and told Jared it was probably our last picture as a family of four!  We went on home and I tried laying down knowing that the contractions would probably ease up...let me tell you what...those contractions quickly went from 7-8 minutes all day long to 3-4 minutes as soon as he left to go back to the farm!  Luckily my sweet mama was smart enough to come on down to the house before Jared left!  I called Jared around 6 and told him to come home...NOW!  So I casually threw a load of clothes in the washing machine, took a quick shower (you don't want your hair to look dirty in pics)- of course Jared gets there while I'm in the shower, so he thinks we can lollygag...no sir-ree!!  I told him to get it into gear and let's head out!  On the way, he later told me that I was speaking in tongues and talking to myself (talking to myself- yes, speaking in tongues- no, praying we would get to the hospital in time for me to have my epidural so I wouldn't be eternally mad at my husband for making me wait on him all day to have this baby- yes.)  And let me just tell you, there is no short way to get to Germantown Methodist from a.n.y.w.h.e.r.e.  I did a little hyperventilating in the car because I was so worked up, so I had a catch in my side along with the contractions--- not really making it so easy to breathe!!!  So while they got me all hooked up, the sweet nurse (who I was being very kind to- because they hold the key to how quickly you can get your meds) gave me an oxygen mask to help me get calmed down and breathing normally.  Jared came back in the room to find the incubator and all the baby stuff ready, me up on the bed hooked up to everything with an oxygen mask on holding my hand up indicating just how far along I was  (for those of you who care--- I was half way to ten and fully ready)  My kindness to the nurses was on my side because they hooked me up with the anesthesiologist quickly (like within the hour of us getting there- so f.y.i.- they can get that bag of fluids going quickly for you) and we were good to go!  The doctor on call wasn't my doctor- but I'm telling you- I didn't care!  Not only because I was ready, but because her name was Dr. Mann and she drove in on her Harley- complete with leather jacket.  oh yes.  My mom and Jared were there with me when she was born; Dad came in soon after!  We had a sweet first night and did actually get a little sleep!  Big brothers spent the night with Jared's parents and came to the hospital late morning on Sunday.  We had several visitors and went home on Monday.  (I had insisted the entire pregnancy that I would be staying two nights in the hospital- not just one like we did with Owen!)

And you know what?  Life did not stop.  It all of a sudden got faster!  (Except on those days when we have no where to go!)

Miles is loving preschool!  We love his teacher and are so very thankful that he gets to learn in such a great environment!  He is constantly impressing us with his knowledge and growing vocabulary!  This week, we have gone to South Carolina and California and NYC on the "train" that he and Owen are always making out of anything they can think of (mostly chairs and pillows).  He also was telling me just today about how "Chaster" helped save God's people from the man who wanted to get rid of God's people.  I asked him if he meant "Esther" and he told me "no...chaster...with a c-h"  =)  He and Owen play so so so well together- I am so blessed to have boys who love each other so much!  Miles has told Owen at least twice (that I've heard) in the last week or so that he is his best friend.  It's not always picturesque, but it really is more times than not!  The playroom hasn't been straightened up all week- but for me- it's a picture of how well they play together and love being around each other!  

Owen all of a sudden turned into the biggest handful a few months into my pregnancy with MC.  He had always shown signs of being such a laid back child, never in a hurry for anything!  And this is still mostly true--- it's just the in-between times that wear me out so!  He is an expert "baby gate breaker outer", loves to run the water in the sink and brush his teeth (at any given time in the day- which is great- I'm hoping he likes the dentist better than Miles), is already an expert at "rolling" things (gets that honestly from his mama...i still would love to go roll a house- but I'd have to do it before 11...I'm too tired to do anything after 11), the best taste-tester out there (anything from candy to turnip greens), very determined, and fiercely protective of his little sister.  The first night home, we had MC in the infant seat letting the boys look at her.  It got Jared all nervous (I was ready to send him back to work the next day =), so he picked the seat up to take her to the bedroom and you would have thought we had taken candy away from Owen!!  He got so terribly upset!  I can probably count the number of times he's ever done something that might hurt her- and that's not been on purpose- just sitting on her to get a reaction out of me or poking her face or something.  He went through a period of only kissing her- no one else- not even me!  Poor baby girl has had snot (or candy or food) on her head since day one!  I love the times I find little hot wheels in the seat with her, though!

I'll post a few more Owen stories as they come to mind...and I'm still working on getting Jared to sync my phone so I don't lose all 800+ pictures/videos that are on it...wouldn't that suck!!!!!

And I just realized all the pics my mom has taken and shared with me on picasa, I can't post to here because I'm not the owner of them?!  So sorry!  I'll work on that...=)

soccer, teeth-brushing...a day in the life...

Nothing big going on right now!  We have truly had a restful July- extremely HOT...but we've been able to stick around the house and just enjoy being at home!  We recently visited my grandparents and I had an aunt ask me what all I had been up to- and I could honestly tell her not much besides being a mom!!  I loved that answer!  I'm so glad that the good Lord has given me the opportunity to be at home with my sweet boys (and soon to be little girl) and be available to play and love on them all day!  I wouldn't trade this time for a single thing!

This summer I've been able to watch Miles grow and develop his communication skills- he'll be turning four soon and all of the developmental changes are just amazing to me!  No one has had to "teach" him how to sigh with his shoulders hung down (which is my favorite expression of his right now...shame on me  =) or teach him how to find humor in situations- one of his favorite phrases is "that's so silly, mommy!"- and his emphasis on certain syllables is what really gets me!  He loves gameshows right now- I think it's the clapping and excitement that gets him (i.e. Wheel of Fortune, that show with Cedric the Entertainer, etc).  Although there have been times of frustration over his behavior and feeling like he's reverting back to toddler ways (from being around little brother- like dumping toys out and the excessive whining), times where I see his growth make it all worth it!  And, knowing that soon, he'll be surrounded by other children his age 3 days a week and probably picking up on habits I won't be fond of that typical 3 and 4 year olds have!

Last week, we got him all signed up for soccer.   He'll be playing at a local church that's right up the road from us, so that will make practice and games convenient!  Jared is beside himself excited  =)  We already have shinguards and shoes (which of course, there's a story there...Jared doesn't believe in putting the child in a stroller Owen got lost in the shoe store, Jared stood guard at the front doors and sent Miles hollering for him throughout the store.  Owen was in the shoe stock room.  I was hosting bunko at our house that night- didn't hear this story til the next day.)  Then there was registering for soccer...I couldn't simply mail the form in...=)  So I loaded the boys up (to drive 2 miles up the road with no other errands planned for the day).  As I was putting shoes on, Miles insisted  that he wear his cleats.  Well apparently I need a lesson in simply tying shoelaces on cleats.  Luckily, Jared had already shown Miles how to do this, so he was able to coach me through...wrap the extremely-too-long laces around the shoe, then make sure the loops are under the tongue.  Glad I learned this early on in life.

Owen is at SUCH a fun age right now!  Of course, he thinks he is as big as his big brother, and able to do EVERYTHING Miles can:  jump on (and off) the bed, brush his teeth, hold the top of the banister going up the stairs, etc.  This morning, I was in the kitchen doing dishes and the boys were left to their own devices made it back to our bathroom (I did shut the door, so that means Miles someone opened the door for them!) When I realized where they were, I immediately thought "great- Owen is playing in the toilet or the bathtub" (both favorite pasttimes).  But no...this time, Miles was jumping on the bed (which he isn't supposed to do without me in the room) and Owen had climbed up onto the bathtub (our tub is connected with a little shelf area to our vanities) and was brushing his teeth...with Jared's toothbrush.  I posted a video of this on facebook- you can check it out- he was so proud of himself!!  (it's on my phone and I let Jared do all the techy stuff, so I haven't figured out how to get it from my phone to the computer!)  He was QUITE upset when I took it from him!!

Nothing new with baby girl right now!!!  I told my doctor yesterday that I was a little concerned over how big I seem to be getting this early on, and he told me that she was just sitting forward, so to tell anyone who comments on this to shut-up!  Gotta love him!!!  I have decided how I want her nursery to look- here's my inspiration room:  http://pinterest.com/pin/56349347/  (have you BEEN on pinterest?!  it's so addicting!)  Now it's just getting there...but she does have a few more items in her wardrobe!  And some sweet sweet friends are hosting a shower at the end of the month!  The sweet girl won't be naked- that's for sure!  And her Meme has already said that any blue jeans bought for her will disappear until she's at least ten!!  Ha ha!!  ((I remember telling Jared once before we were parents that we may  have to eat pbj's every night of the week, but our kids will be dressed cute- not too hard with the boys (especially when you have friends with kids exactly a year older than your oldest!) and sweet grandparents who make sure they have special occasion outfits!  But watching my mom buy clothes for Molly Claire this early on has been priceless!))


Sorry there are no pics...I've been good about taking them...on my phone...(see previous statement as to why they aren't on computer!!!)  I'll have to get Jared to help me out with that!!

A Long Way to Go....

I was just doing some "blog-stalking" and read where one of them has been blogging for about 3 years- same as I have- and has over 200 posts...

I've got a long way to go...

Lately- my reasoning for not sitting down is that when I do sit down here at the computer- I'm gaining inspiration for all of my latest home projects...reading nook for the boys, laundry room make-over of sorts, new organization projects, nursery ideas, sewing projects...then I have to actually GET UP and do them!  I'm in the process of getting some things done, so that's good!!  Right now, Miss Molly Claire's (yes, that is baby girl's name!) nursery is a D.I.S.A.S.T.E.R. area and has yellow tape crossing the doors to prevent anyone from entering the scene except for me.  {okay, no tape- but Jared might appreciate it if there were}  I would take a picture and share it with you...but I really am rather embarrassed over the state of it right now!

Operation "Getting Ready for Baby Girl":
Step 1:  Name the baby girl.  Molly Claire is the name that we have chosen.  Jared still says he isn't for sure on it, but I figure if I keep going ahead with it and get things monogrammed he can't change his mind- right?  He says she has to be brunette to have the name "Molly"- he's so particular.  So, baby girl- you better come out dark-headed (and with hair like Owen pretty please so I can put a bow in it!)- because if not, you may be coming home nameless for a few days!
Yes, we will call her both names- "Molly Claire"
No, much to Miles' dismay, her name will not be "Jingle Wheeze (Jean Louise) Molly Pla-her"
No, there is no family significance to either name.  And even if there is a distant cousin twice removed I think I would rather not know at this point.  Jared and I purposely did not name her after anyone in either of our families simply to avoid hurting any feelings!  Maybe it's my overly-hormonal sensitive self, but both of the boys have family names and I absolutely love their names.  What if we don't have another girl and we used one side of the family's name and not the other's?  I don't think I could live with the life-long grief (self-imposed, of course).  And it would annoy me to no end.  Is this sweet little girl the last for the Darby clan?  I don't know, but I also know you can't predetermine gender of your future children!  (I read a most well-written article recently on mothering- it's here if you're interested)

Okay- off my soap box on that one...moving on...

Step 2:  The guest bed has been taken down, so if you were planning on coming for a visit, plan on sleeping on an air mattress!  And it will probably be taken upstairs {see beginning of post for this reasoning}

Yes...that's only two steps...

Step 3 I'm sure will involve actually purchasing some clothes for this child!!!  It would not behoove me to dress my little GIRL in blue sleepers with dinosaurs.  I have gathered all the boys' clothes that I'm ready to get rid of (taking out precious keepsakes, of course) and am ready to pass on, consign, etc...  I looked up information on a local consignment show and it completely overwhelmed me.  So I passed on that one.  It's a pretty big one, though, so maybe others aren't so intense??

In other news......

Soccer is almost back in full swing- summer training right now, regular season starts up in about a month.  So we've been glad to have Jared around the past couple weeks!  I tell you what...I'm learning some things about parents, folks.  I pray I never become an awful "sports parent" no matter what my kids are involved in.  Seriously.  It's ridiculous.  Lord, spare me the drama.  The junk Jared had to put up with the months of May and June was beyond ridiculous.

anyway.

Miles starts preschool in just a short month!!  I'm beyond excited about this for him!!!!  We got his supply list and welcome letter in the mail a couple weeks ago, and while I started making plans, Jared got a little weepy-eyed!!  Go figure!!  He is constantly impressing us with his vocabulary and spelling skills.  I'm not going to be able to spell things out much longer with him.  One of his favorite things to do right now while I'm cooking dinner or in the kitchen is to pull a chair up to the bar and stand there and talk my ear off- about anything and everything.  Some days, I can tell he is making up stories.  Others, he is talking to me about his friends or about what he and daddy will do when daddy gets home.  I love this precious time.  I know there will be days in the future that I'm dragging information out of him.  I hope he does know he can always come to me to talk, though, and that I'll always be approachable to him!

Our little explorer at the Butterfly Palace in Branson.

Yes, he is usually this happy!

Owen is into EVERYTHING.  I was with some friends recently- both who have one little boy each (and are ready for more children).  Owen was banging coasters on a coffee table.  One friend (hostess) said- oh I haven't child-proofed- we decided we would just train (child's name) not to mess with stuff.  Oh honey- I did the same with Miles.  That first child was so trainable!  The second one...ooooo-eeeee.  He's been a horse of a different color!!!  My sweet little mama's boy will hold his hand out for me to spank it as he is messing with whatever in the other hand!!  And he's so darn cute!  He is cutting about 7 teeth right now-- yes-- 7.  My usually happy-go-lucky-as-long-as-you-let-me-do-what-I-want baby boy is 17 months and has had 6 teeth up until about 2 weeks ago.  Then decided to cut all these teeth at the same time!!  I have to admit, I have babied him so much, so looking at him with all these teeth is almost sad for me!  He has been easy to baby!